April 28, 2004

New Drug-impaired Driving Bill "A First Step in the Right Direction"

OTTAWA, ON, April 28 /CNW/ - The country's top police associations, a pre-eminent victims' rights organization and the national union representing customs officers joined their voices today in welcoming the introduction of new legislation for drug-impaired driving (Bill C-32) as a good first step toward strengthening the enforcement of drug-impaired driving offenses.

While agreeing upon the urgent need to implement this legislation, the Canadian Professional Police Association (CPPA), the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), the Canadian Association of Police Boards (CAPB), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) and Customs Excise Union Douanes Accise (CEUDA) also recognize that there are other important issues that need to be resolved by the federal government before police will be adequately equipped to deal with drugged drivers.

Andrew Murie, MADD Canada's National Executive Director states: "While Bill C-32 equips police officers with legislation to enforce drug-impaired driving and to protect Canadians against dangerous drunk drivers, we are forced to recognize that not enough money has been allocated to train and equip front-line officers to use this law. Nine out of ten Canadians want drug-impaired driving legislation. We now have to ensure that this legislation will be applied consistently across Canada. As currently funded, we are not confident that police officers across Canada will be able to apply this legislation."

Tony Cannavino, CPPA President states: "Drug-impaired driving legislation is something the police community has been calling for over many years. We welcome Bill C-32 as a "stand-alone" tool for the rank and file. However, Canadians have to understand that it will take years for this legislation to be fully operational across Canada. Bill C-32 should be passed before the Prime Minister makes a call for an election."

"This new drug-impaired driving legislation is not a panacea to improving drug-impaired driving enforcement. Bill C-32 gives police officers access to the best available tools that currently exist. Further research is still required for the development of stronger and better drug detection tools. The government must commit to sustainable funding for research and development", added Tony Cannavino.

Chris McNeil, Chair of the CACP Drug Abuse Committee states: "It must be understood that Bill C-32 needs to be fully operational before we even start thinking about changing our laws pertaining to illicit drugs. What we have right now is a federal drug strategy; not a national drug strategy. A true national drug strategy is long overdue in Canada."

Raf Souccar, Vice-Chair of the CACP Drug Abuse Committee states: "This legislation is long overdue and should go a long way in saving lives. At present, we have no means by which to detect drivers impaired by a drug other than alcohol. This new tool would provide us with the authority and ability to identify those who chose to consume drugs and then get behind the wheel jeopardizing their lives and those of others on our roads and highways".

Ron Moran, CEUDA National President states: "It is important to ensure that police officers are properly equipped and trained to combat drug-impaired driving. The same is true for customs officers: We need to extend this specialized training and tools to our customs officers because they also have first intervener status in dealing with drug-impaired drivers."

Edward Keyes, CAPB President states: "We are very pleased to see that the government has finally decided to introduce this important piece of legislation. With Bill C-32, the federal government recognized that front-line police officers are ill-equipped to address drug-impaired driving on our streets. The next step is to fast-track the adoption of this bill before an election is called. We are anxious to see this Bill become law."

For further information:
Sophie Roux, Communications Officer, CPPA, (613) 231-4168
Andrew Murie, Executive Director, MADD Canada, 1-800-665-6233,ext. 224
Chris McNeil, CACP Chair of Drug Abuse Committee, (902) 490-5272
Raf Souccar, Vice-Chair, CACP Drug Abuse Committee, (613) 993-2087
Erik Lupien, Communications Officer, CEUDA, (613) 723-8008, ext. 318
Edward Keyes, President, CAPB, (506) 333-9009